MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, April 16, 2022 (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored
a hat-trick as Manchester United claimed a 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday
to take advantage of defeats for Arsenal and Tottenham in the race for a
place in next season's Champions League.

Spurs' winning run was brought to an abrupt halt by a 1-0 home defeat by
Brighton, while the Gunners were beaten 1-0 at Southampton to slump to a
third consecutive loss.

Ronaldo's 50th club hat-trick tempered a revolt among the fanbase at Old
Trafford as United move above Arsenal into fifth on goal difference, three
points behind Tottenham.

There was unrest among the United fans before the game even began as many did
not come into the stadium until the 17th minute to protest against the 17
years of the Glazer family's ownership of the club.

Those late to take their seats missed Ronaldo's first goal of the afternoon
as he swept home Anthony Elanga's cross.

The 37-year-old then powered home Alex Telles' corner for his 20th goal of
the season despite United's struggles.

However, the Red Devils' defensive problems were laid bare by the bottom-of-
the-table Canaries who had scored just 20 goals in their previous 31 league
games.

Kieran Dowell halved the arrears in first-half stoppage time before Teemu
Pukki levelled seven minutes into the second half.

David de Gea then had to produce a brilliant save to deny Pukki completing
the comeback.

United players were then met with chants of "you're not fit to wear the
shirt", with Paul Pogba singled out for abuse when he was substituted.

But Ronaldo had the final say when his free-kick flew through the grasp of
Tim Krul 14 minutes from time.

- North London nightmare -

Brighton halted Tottenham's charge towards the Champions League as Leandro
Trossard struck a 90th-minute winner.

But Antonio Conte's men were bailed out by another defeat for Arsenal as they
failed to close the gap against a Southampton side that had been thrashed 6-0
by Chelsea last weekend.

Brighton were Arsenal's conquerors last time out to snap a seven-game winless
run.

With confidence restored, the Seagulls looked more like their old selves
under Graham Potter as they controlled the game and completed a north London
double thanks to Trossard's composed finish in the final minute.

"Today we did everything too slow," said Conte. "It was not a good game for
us.

"When you can't win, you should not lose and that is a lesson for us today.
When it is not your day, you have to pay more attention and not lose."

Arsenal's lack of a top striker proved their downfall at St. Mary's as Fraser
Forster produced a string of fine saves to leave Mikel Arteta's men
frustrated.

Southampton took their chance when it came as defender Jan Bednarek swept
high past Aaron Ramsdale just before half-time.

At the bottom of the table, Watford look set to return to the Championship
after Brentford inflicted their 10th successive home league defeat.

Pontus Jansson scored the winner deep into stoppage time for the Bees after
Emmanuel Dennis had cancelled out Christian Norgaard's opener.

Second-from-bottom Watford remain six points adrift of safety with six games
left to play.